United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Lovell hits back at ‘money grabbing’ accusation
GTMC Conference Special: Guild of Travel Management Companies chairman Richard Lovell has defended his members after they were dubbed money- grabbers by corporates.
He said most companies, particularly the financial directors, did not appreciate the value and savings made by a TMC.
Lovell’s comments followed a presentation at the GMTC conference where Oracle and PricewaterhouseCoopers said TMC’s are perceived as money-grabbers and have poorly trained staff.
“It should be said this is a perception, not a reality,” Lovell told Travelmole.
“On average TMC’s charge around 3-4% of a client’s travel spend but with the deals we have save them up to 25% during the year.
That’s good value but most do not realise the value we bring.
We need to make them aware of it.”
The problem stems from the shift from a commission-based income to one of charging service fees, something FDs have struggled with, said Lovell.
“It used to be a free service now they are having to pay.
We are providing a business service and we have to charge.
That’s not money grabbing, it’s business,” he said.
Lovell also threw back the same money-grabbing accusations at business consultants – such as PricewaterhouseCoopers.
“When you receive an invoice for a consultant you ask what am I paying for?” he said.
Lovell, Carlson Wagonlit chief operating officer EMEA, also refuted accusations of poor service, claiming corporates want to pay as little as possible yet still expect a faultless service.
He said corporates attempt to drive down prices but “start screaming” as soon as it goes wrong.
Report by Steve Jones
Related News Stories:
Ginny McGrath
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Tricia Handley-Hughes of Inteletravel announces the location for the TravelQuest 2025 conference
Insights from James Ferrara on Inteletravel’s Growth and Future
Tricia Handley-Hughes on Inteletravel’s Growth and Challenges
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Protestors now targeting Amsterdam cruise calls